Club marks its 100th year with cash grants

The event was organised by the Rotary Club of Portsmouth & Southsea as a way of recognising the club reaching its 100th anniversary.

Community groups and projects put in bids for a share of £20,000 put up by Rotarians to help schemes that support youth work in the city.

Six groups were picked by Rotarians and invited to a night at the Mountbatten Centre, in Stamshaw.

The groups were; Portsmouth Division Girl Guiding, Around and Around, Be Your Best Foundation, Enable Ability, Off the Record and Portsmouth Young Carers.

Rotarian Bernard Parsons said: ‘The evening went extremely well. All the recipients enjoyed themselves. We were very pleased with the project. The idea was to help disadvantaged youths and that’s precisely what we did.’

The night saw presentations from each of the groups.

Mr Parsons said: ‘All the presentations were very good. We were very pleased to be able to award money to a wide range of groups that are covering every spectrum, working across the city.’

Enable Ability was awarded £3,000 for its Saturday club for 60 severely disabled children during term time.

Around and Around is a sailing charity, which was awarded £2,000 to help with the restoration of the Lively Lady, the boat on which Sir Alec Rose circumnavigated the globe in 1968. The boat is in need of refurbishment and opportunities are offered for youth placements.

Be Your Best Foundation was given £4,000 to go towards its events such as the Rock Challenge. Portsmouth Division Girl Guiding was given £4,000 to help it to install a toilet block at Sandy Acres, Waltham Chase.

Off the Record was given £3,000 for its counselling services in Fratton and Portsmouth Young Carers was given £4,000 for its respite care for young carers in Portsmouth.

Mr Parsons said: ‘We don’t normally distribute surplus funds like this, but we want to do so as it was our centenary year and a special occasion. It has got us off to a really great start for our special year.’

The club meets on Tuesdays at the Mountbatten Centre. For more go online at rotary-ribi.org